Mike Davies

The long wait for Shadowlands, the fourth album from Romantica, has paid dividends – 14 songs bear testament to their understated and introspective brand of Americana.

Having formerly fronted Danish trio Boho Dancer, Ida Wenøe now makes her solo debut with Time of Ghosts, an album that leans more towards their ethereal acid folk, blending Nordic and English folk influences.

Based on the west coast of Scotland, The Quiggs (husband and wife Pernille and Stephen) return with Seeds I Didn’t Sow – songs and memorable melodies worth revisiting again and again. Unquestionably one of the best folk albums of the year.

Ex-ahab singer Dave Burn has thankfully found time to release this debut solo album. He draws on personal experiences and his Americana influences to weave a reflective web…a place marker in the debut albums of the year list has been duly assigned.

Apparently, it was ‘The Brother Brothers’ contemporaries that had been urging them to make music together for some time. Thankfully they finally decided to listen. Now it’s your turn.

The music of Bristol-based The Nightjar demands to be listened to in an isolation chamber to allow it to seep into the pores, but, like the nocturnal bird after which the band are named, its near silent flight is unerring.

Norwegian singer-songwriter Torgeir Waldemar returns with new album ‘No Offending Borders,’ an album of surprising contemplative depth and musical variety. One worth seeking out.

A Bit of Blue is a deeply rewarding album, it coincides with the publication of Emily Maguire’s second book, Notes from the North Pole, a collection of her poetry and songs.

A long overdue album from two musicians at the top of their game; Bill Kirchen and Austin de Lone rip it up for a hands-across-the-Atlantic collection with their new studio album, Transatlanticana before heading to the UK in March and April on tour.

Windy City is Alison Krauss’s first solo album in 17 years. Bringing new life to old songs can be difficult, but, as per the title, Krauss makes it seem like a breeze on this era-spanning album produced by Nashville veteran Buddy Cannon.

After the first flush of acclaim, Guy Clark somewhat faded from the mainstream country spotlight, but, as this Dualtone anthology ably demonstrates, his talent never dimmed.

Chain up the Swings is a fitting tribute to the late the Bard of Dundee by his daughter Alice Marra. She more than ably demonstrates the strength of the material by placing it in a different mainstream musical setting. Michael Marra would have loved it. So should you.